[MrNFL_FanIQ]

The defending MLB champion Detroit Tigers narrowly made it back to the postseason in 1903. The Milwaukee Mustangs took the Midwest League title at 94-68, meanwhile the Tigers were locked in a battle with Chicago and Kansas City for second. Detroit would finish 89-73, just beating out the Cubs (88-74) and Cougars (87-75). Cincinnati saw the steepest drop, going from third at 94 wins to seventh at 76.


Toronto also made it to their third straight postseason, posting the best-ever record in MLB’s young history at 107-55. For the second straight year, the Timberwolves had both the MVP and PotY. The 32-year old left fielder Chris Mason led the NA in WAR at 8.2, hitting 40 homers and 107 RBI. After missing all of 1902 with an elbow injury, Edgar Garcia was pitcher of the year at 22-5 with a 2.52 ERA and 228 strikeouts over 249.2 innings.


The New York Yankees set an MLB record with only 466 runs allowed with three pitchers in the top five in best ERA. Despite that, the Yankees still only could take fourth in the Eastern League at 92-70. The Montreal Maples placed second in the EL at 96-66 for a playoff berth while the Buffalo Blue Sox were third at 95-67, a big turnaround from their 71-win 1902. The National Association also had its first 50 home run season from Washington’s Jeremy Canup.


In the American Association, Tampa bounced back from their disappointing 1902 with a Southern League title. The Thunderbirds finished 99-63 and set the MLB record for runs scored at 922 off George Cull’s second MVP season. The defending SL champ Jacksonville took second at 93-69, besting out Charlotte at 88-74. The biggest shift in the Southern League was New Orleans, going from 86 wins in 1902 to a dismal 58 wins in 1903. Despite going 80-82, Houston had the pitcher of the year in Franklin Carro, who came close to being the first 300 strikeout pitcher at 291.


Calgary’s Casey Esnault was even closer at 299. That, plus a league-leading 10.6 WAR season on the mound by Ruben Toscano pushed the Cheetahs to back-to-back Western League titles. Despite the 105-57 mark, they had to battle to the end for the crown with the Denver Dragons, who ended one back at 104-58.


Despite the best records in the AA, both Calgary and Denver were ousted in the first round of the postseason in sweeps with the Gators getting road upsets over the Cheetahs and the Thunderbirds taking care of the Dragons. Jacksonville stunned Tampa with a sweep in the American Association Championship.


In the NA, both first round series went 3-2 as both Eastern League teams prevailed. Toronto held off the challenge from visiting Detroit and Montreal earned their wins in Milwaukee. The Timberwolves would handle the Maples 4-1 in the NACS and easily overpowered the Gators for a World Series sweep. Veteran outfielder Chris Jochum earned MVP honors and had a 187 OPS+ over the postseason.


Full 1903 MLB stats here.